g."

The man lit the lantern, brought it up to Hoopdriver and put it down on
the ground. "Want a smaller screwdriver?" he said.

Hoopdriver had his handkerchief out and sneezed a prompt ATICHEW. It is
the orthodox thing when you wish to avoid recognition. "As small as you
have," he said, out of his pocket handkerchief.

"I ain't got none smaller than that," said the ostler.

"Won't do, really," said Hoopdriver, still wallowing in his
handkerchief.

"I'll see wot they got in the 'ouse, if you like, sir," said the man.
"If you would," said Hoopdriver. And as the man's heavily nailed boots
went clattering down the yard, Hoopdriver stood up, took a noiseless
step to the lady's machine, laid trembling hands on its handle and
saddle, and prepared for a rush.

The scullery door opened momentarily and sent a beam of warm, yellow
light up the road, shut again behind the man, and forthwith Hoopdriver
rushed the machines towards the gate. A dark grey form came fluttering
to meet him. "Give me this," she said, "and bring yours."

He passed the thing to her, touched her hand in the darkness, ran back,
seized Bechamel's machine, and followed.

The yellow light of the scullery door suddenly flashed upon the cobbles
again. It was too late now to do anything but escape. He heard the
ostler shout behind him, and came into the road. She was up and dim
already. He got into the saddle without a blunder. In a moment the
ostler was in the gateway with a full-throated "HI! sir! That ain't
allowed;" and Hoopdriver was overtaking the Young Lady in Grey. For
some moments the earth seemed alive with shouts of, "Stop 'em!" and the
shadows with ambuscades of police. The road swept round, and they were
riding out of sight of the hotel, and behind dark hedges, side by side.

She was weeping with excitement as he overtook her. "Brave," she said,
"brave!" and he ceased to feel like a hunted thief. He looked over
his shoulder and about him, and saw that they were already out of
Bognor--for the Vicuna stands at the very westernmost extremity of the
sea front--and riding on a fair wide road.

XXIII.

The ostler (being a fool) rushed violently down the road vociferating
after them. Then he returned panting to the Vicuna Hotel, and finding
a group of men outside the entrance, who wanted to know what was UP,
stopped to give them the cream of the adventure. That gave the fugitives
five minutes. Then pushing breathlessly into the bar, he had